Author: Khadija Abubakar

THE Organised Labour still insists that the N250,000 benchmark remains the ideal minimum wage for workers in Nigeria, the President, Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, declared on Tuesday. Osifo also stated that TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress were meeting with officials of the Federal Government to reach an agreement on the minimum wage. He disclosed this at the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Women Commission maiden Annual Convention in Abuja, with the theme, ‘The Dynamic Woman: Navigating Challenges in a Constantly Evolving World.’ Discussions on a new national minimum wage has paused following the decision…

THE Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his significant efforts in addressing the plight of pensioners in the state and paying attention to girl child education. Emir Sanusi highlighted that the present administration paid attention to pensioners who had previously been thrown into unnecessary hardship and poverty due to unpaid pensions and gratuities. He emphasized that, “The difference between paying attention and not paying attention is sometimes the difference between life and death for the pensioner or his family. Some of them have died. We must always remember that we are all accountable…

THE European Union (EU) has awarded postgraduate scholarships to 142 young Nigerians for the 2024-25 academic session under its prestigious Erasmus+ program. This marks the sixth consecutive year that Nigeria has led in Africa as the top recipient of these scholarships, also ranking among the top five globally. Announced by the program organizers in Brussels, the initial batch of Nigerian awardees is set to begin their studies in September 2024, with the possibility of more beneficiaries being added. These scholarships provide an opportunity for recipients to study in at least three different universities across multiple countries within and outside the…

THE Federal Government has warned that the increasing level of flooding and continuous rainfall may worsen the spread of cholera in the country. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Joseph Terlumum raised the concern while addressing a press conference on Thursday. According to him, a total of 63 deaths and 2,102 suspected cases have already been recorded as of Wednesday, July 3, 2024, since the outbreak of the epidemic. Recent incessant rains have resulted in floods in some states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a situation that prompted the minister to call on state governments across the country…

THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano has proposed a mandatory drug test for prospective couples as part of measures to reduce drug abuse in the state. The NDLEA Commander in Kano, Mr Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, made this known to the newsmen on Thursday. “The agency has introduced the Drug Intergrity Test Initiative anticipated to metamorphose into an anti-drug culture for every Nigerian” he said. Idris-Ahmad said the drug test will serve as a tool for the prevention of drug abuse and early detection of individuals and couples status of drug use for appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. He said…

THE Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has disconnected the power supply to Aliko Dangote University, Wudil, over an outstanding debt of N248 million. The Managing Director of KEDCO, Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf, told this newspaer in a telephone interview on Monday that the company had no choice but to take action. He said that the institution only made payment of N20 million out of the outstanding N248 million. Yusuf vowed that the power supply would only be restored if the management made “appreciable payment’. He further explained that KEDCO was spending heavily to purchase power from the Transmission Company of Nigeria…

THE Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), National Pension Commission (PenCom), the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundry (SCUML) and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have scored low in the federal government’s Regulatory Reform Action Plan targeted at promoting ease of doing business. The plan, championed by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), is targeted at equipping regulatory agencies that facilitate business environment to aid their efficiency. Speaking at the release of the plan’s results in Abuja on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole said “The 90 days period for the…

THE Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC, Federal Capital Territory Administration, says it will begin the relocation of mechanics and traders operating on road corridors and buffer zones to Wassa. The AMMC Coordinator, Felix Obuah, disclosed this to newsmen after a meeting with representatives of the affected traders and mechanics in Abuja on Tuesday. Mr Obuah explained that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the exercise designated for such businesses, adding that the evacuation would begin in a month’s time. He identified those to be relocated as all traders, artisans, mechanics, spare parts dealers, furniture makers, roadside cooking gas dealers…

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the National Construction and Household Support Programme during the National Economic Council meeting on Thursday in Abuja. According to a statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the programme is aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening the economy, and providing immediate economic relief for Nigerian households. Ngelale added that the programme, which was supported by the NEC, includes financial allocations and infrastructure projects across all geo-political zones in the country. He added that a key component of the programme is the approval of the N50,000 uplift grant to be distributed to 100,000 families per…

THE University of Abuja has appointed Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi as the acting Vice-Chancellor of by the institution’. Her appointment was announced at the valedictory Senate meeting on the university campus in Abuja on Wednesday. The 41-year-old Professor of International Law was the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, before her appointment. Outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, who is rounding off his tenure in three days, said Maikudi’s appointment was in a temporary capacity, pending the ratification by the Governing Council. In her acceptance speech, Maikudi expressed gratitude to members of the Senate for the confidence reposed in her. “I want to…

THE Management of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), has announced a 14-day postponement of the application process for student loans for state institutions due to low data submissions. A statement by the Head, Media and Public Relations,  Nasir Ayitogo, on Tuesday, said the decision was necessitated by the failure of several state-owned institutions, to upload the required student data and fee information to the NELFUND Student Verification System (SVS). To date, it said only a limited number of state-owned institutions have completed the data submission process. These include 20 state universities out of 48, 12 state colleges out of…

SECURITY forces in Katsina State have reportedly apprehended a woman, identified as Aisha Abubakar, for allegedly transporting ammunition to terrorists. The incident was reported on Monday by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama. According to Makama, the ammunition was discovered during a routine search of Abubakar’s luggage. “The authorities discovered the ammunition in her luggage during a routine search,” he stated. The suspect initially denied any involvement in the illegal activity. However, Makama reported that she later admitted to her role in the operation. “She initially denied involvement but later confessed to be transporting the ammunition to terrorist group…

IN two months, Nigerians will begin utilising the services of the proposed three-in-one identity card, the National Identity Management Commission has confirmed. It said the single multipurpose card combining multiple functions of identity, financial and social services will be made available to citizens across the country by August this year. A high-ranking member of the implementation team, who asked not to be named, disclosed the new information during an exclusive interview with this newspaper on Friday. The official stated that the commission had been working tirelessly to meet its goals, adding that the plan remains on track and would be…

THE Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC, has alerted on increasing cholera cases nationwide, with 30 deaths, 1,141 suspected and 65 confirmed cases reported. Disclosing this in a public advisory, the Director-General of the centre, Dr. Jide Idris, said the cases, which occurred between January and June 11, 2024, were reported from 96 LGAs in 30 states. He stated that the 10 states that contributed 90 percent to the burden of cholera include Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos. He urged Nigerians to be wary of the increasing trend of cholera cases…

THE President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero says the Organised Labour will await the decision of President Bola Tinubu on the proposals submitted to him by the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage. Ajaero ruled out any industrial action till the President makes his stance known on the two proposals presented to him on the new minimum wage for workers in the country. While Labour insisted on ₦250,000 as a feasible living wage for workers, the other side – the federal and state governments as well as the Organised Private Sector – proposed ₦62,000. The tripartite committee submitted…

A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Kano has fixed June 13 for ruling on the issue of jurisdiction in the case of Kano emirate tussle. The Court, presided over by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, adjourned the sitting following a heated argument between counsel. This newspaper reported that the applicant, Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, had approached the court, asking it to restrain the respondents from enforcing, implementing and operationalizing the repealed law. The respondents in the suit are Kano State Government, Kano State House of Assembly, Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Attorney General…

THE Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday granted an order of interim forfeiture of properties valued at N11,140,000,000.00 linked to the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele. Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke made the order sequel to a motion ex parte filed and argued by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo, who led Bilkisu Buhari-Bala and Chineye Okezie in the proceedings. The court ordered the interim forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government. Oyedepo informed the court that Emefiele was suspected of having bought the…

THE ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate all finances, loans and contracts awarded under the former governor, Nasir El-Rufai has submitted its report to the House. Presenting the report during plenary on Wednesday, the chairman of the ad hoc committee, Henry Zacharia, said that most of the loans obtained under the El-Rufai’s administration were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained, while in some cases, due process was not followed in securing the loans. Receiving the report, the Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, said that…

SOME unions have shut their workplaces to comply with the directive of the two labour unions to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike. On Friday, the organised labour announced that they will be commencing a nationwide indefinite strike due to the refusal of the Federal Government to increase the proposed minimum wage from N60,000. According to the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, the strike will begin at midnight on Sunday, June 2, 2024. In a joint statement delivered by Ajaero and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Festus Osifo, they expressed their serious concerns and disappointment over the…

A UNIVERSITY of Ilorin professor of Anatomy, Gabriel Omotoso, has identified tobacco smoking as a leading reason for preventable death and disease worldwide, saying that it “causes more than eight million deaths yearly”. Professor Omotoso, who made the declaration while delivering the 259th inaugural lecture of the university, said that the latest global estimate of tobacco users is 1.25 billion people, 80 per cent of which are in low- and middle-income countries. In the inaugural lecture, titled, “White Matter Matters in the Search for Phytochemical Candidates for Demyelinating Disorders,” the don posited that out of the eight million yearly deaths from tobacco…